Roman Centurions 31 BC–AD 500 The Classical and Late Empire

by D’Amato, Raffaele; Rava, Giuseppe

• ISBN13: 9781849087957
• ISBN10: 1849087954
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-02-21
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

In the years between 31 BC and AD 500 the Romans carved out a mighty empire stretching from Britain to the deserts of North Africa. The men who spearheaded this expansion were the centurions, the tough, professional warriors who led from the front, exerted savage discipline and provided a role model for the legionaries under their command. This book, the second volume of a two-part study, reveals the appearance, weaponry, role and impact of these legendary soldiers during the five centuries that saw the Roman Empire reach its greatest geographical extent under Trajan and Hadrian, only to experience a long decline in the West in the face of sustained pressure from its 'barbarian' neighbours. Featuring spectacular full-colour artwork, written by an authority on the army of the Caesars and informed by a wide range of sculptural, written and pictorial evidence from right across the Roman world, this book overturns established wisdom and sheds new light on Rome's most famous soldiers during the best-known era in its history.

Author Biography

Dr Raffaele DAmato is an experienced Turin-based researcher of the ancient and medieval military worlds. After achieving his first PhD in Romano-Byzantine Law, and having collaborated with the University of Athens, he gained a second doctorate in Roman military archaeology. He currently works as vice-head of the Laboratory of the Danubian Provinces at the University of Ferrara, under Professor Livio Zerbini. This is his sixth book for Osprey. Giuseppe Rava was born in Faenza in 1963, and took an interest in all things military from an early age. Entirely self-taught, Giuseppe ahs established himself as a leading military history artist, and is inspired by the works of the great military artists, such as Detaille, Meissonier, Rochling, Lady Butler, Ottenfeld and Angus McBride. He lives and works in Italy. For more on Giuseppe, Please visit his website at www.g.rava.it

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 3
Organization	p. 4
The early Principate: legionary centurions - detached appointments: the auxilia - the Praetorian Guard, urbaniciani, vigiles, and frumentarii
The later Empire
Careers	p. 9
Selection and appointment
Career progression and social class
Quasi-military duties
Risks & Rewards	p. 15
Pay, influence, and clandestine employment
Social Status	p. 17
Wealth - religious observances
Arms & Equipment	p. 19
The early Principate: helmets - shields - body armour: ringmail, 'muscled', scale, leather and fabric, segmentata - greaves - weapons
The later Empire: helmets - shields - body armour - weapons
	p. 36
Tunics - cloaks - trousers - caps
The vine-staff- military decorations
Select Bibliography	p. 40
Plate Commentaries	p. 44
Index	p. 48
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.